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Pocketful of Borders: Pussy Cat, where have you been?

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be showing pictures I took this past summer. They will show the process of adding borders to the original illustrations from my book Pocketful of Posies. All of the originals are currently on display in Falmouth, Mass. until Oct. 31st, 2010 and then they’ll move to the Boston area for the rest of the year. See the traveling exhibit schedule with future locations on this page. All are welcome to my guided tour of the artwork at Highfield Hall in Falmouth on Tuesday, Oct. 12th at 10:30 am. This is the illustration for the rhyme Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been? The original was made at 90%, so it was enlarged just a little for the book. I don’t know why, but some characters and designs are easier for me to make on a smaller scale. Since I’m aiming for the work to be reproduced, it can be blown up to the necessary size, as long as the proportions are correct. I picked out an orange upholstery fabric for the back ground and some lavender felt for the border. I then blanket stitched around the border pieces with variegated pima cotton. The bottom corners were chain stitched with the date and my initials, while the top corners had doodles. The corners need warming up, so I outlined the edge with some golden wool crewel yarn. I added some loopy chain stitching to the side pieces… and sewed it all together. To see a closeup of the cat, see this post. To see other posts in the Pocketful of Borders series, click here.

Salley, Thank you so much for posting your beloved art and your creative processes. Every time I gaze upon your handcrafted artworks, my heart is renewed in joy. I know I am not alone in experiencing such deep delight when I read or see your works. We are all so much in your debt, your artistic vision is a constant source of joy and wonderment. Sometimes I wish I could just cozy up with your charming characters and animals.

Adorable kitty! I love the little seed beads worked into the stitching – such little details make your work worth looking at again and again! I don’t know if those are meant to be crowns in the corners, but if so, it’s totally appropriate! Our cats think they are the queens of our house LOL!

I’m over from Maya*Made and am so thrilled to find your blog. I have only just discovered you, but am so happy because now that I am a grandma, I’m looking forward to sharing your books with my Littles and I want to try my hand at the Wee Folk.